TMJ disorder causes painful mouth movements and an inflamed jaw, which makes it hard to speak, chew, or yawn.
As uncomfortable as it may sound, it could happen to anyone. Let’s talk about what causes TMJ that you might be doing but probably won’t notice.
First, what is TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint or TMJ is the one responsible in connecting your jaw bones to your skull. TMJ disorder is a dental problem that can make you feel uneasy by stopping you from doing regular mouth movements.
What causes TMJ Disorder?
While there is no exact reason behind this dental issue, there are several factors that may cause your TMJ Disorder.
Bruxism – or teeth grinding is uncommon but often happens during sleep, while clenching is when you bite on things, sometimes as a habit. Both practices are harmful as it put too much pressure on your jaw joint.
Missing teeth – can cause misalignment of your teeth, resulting in less support to your jaw and strain your joints.
Dental Traumas – are mostly caused by emergencies such as sports injury or involving yourself in an accident which leads to damaging your jawbone and dislocating your TMJ.
Bad posture – might sound odd but it’s true. Practicing a bad posture puts pressure on your spine and shifts your lower jaw forward, and without noticing, you can suddenly feel TMJ pain.
When should you see a dentist?
For some people, the symptoms of TMJ disorder may come and go. However, it doesn’t mean that you are safe from experiencing it again, so it is better to visit a dentist right away to assess the specific treatment you need.
At Tindale Dental, we provide a comprehensive approach to all your dental concerns so we can help you manage the pain while treating your problem. If you suspect that you are experiencing TMJ disorder, schedule your appointment today by calling (02) 9161 5666.